Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-01-12
the professors niece, who was said to

well, we went, and old Balch re-
ceived us in his old-fashloned, stately
way. When we were all collected in
the reception-rOom, he excused himself
for moment, and came back with his
niece on his arm. \ more beautiful
creature | never saw. From her deli
cately arched little foot TO her shapely
head, she was absolute perfection. She
had the brightest brown eyes, whiteSt
teeth, and most perfect form that ever
Il girl was bIest with.
Don't think, old fellow, that | was
IN love with her. | never, in looking
ut her, experienced any other feeling
than pleasure at her artistic perfection.
But Swithin, poor fellow, was struck all
OF heap. lie came very near losing
his degree by neglecting his studies.
Half of the time was with the Profes-
sor's niece, and the other half hs was
either thinking, writing, or dreaming
about her.
''There was just one drawback to
Swithln'S complete happiness. The
young lady was an invalid, and always
received and dismissed him while lean
ing on her uncle's arm. 1t seemed to
Swithin, too, that at those times, her
eyes were brighter, her cheeks redder,
and her whole manner more animated
than at any other time during his visits.
But perhaps he only imagined this, be-
cause at those particular times he would
have much preferred to see the lady
quite alone.
However, things progressed smooth
ly enough, and the wedding was set for
the evening of CON -nencement day,
SWithia, was on the commencement
programme, and had laid himSelf out to
be particularly brilliant, for she had
promised to be at the exercise with her
uncle. But she had headache that
morning, and wishing to appear well in
the more important event of the even
Ing, she did not attend. Swithin was
very much disappointed, and forgot his
part several times. You remember
what an absent-minded man Professor
Balch was? Well, he forgot all about
commencement, and his chair was
vacant throughout the exercises.
''Finally the eventful hour that
Swithin had been so impatiently look
ing forward to arrive. Nearly the
whole college attended the wedding,
Tor the bridegroom was very popular.
At the last minute old Balch couldn't
be found, and almost an hour was vast
ed in hunting him up. And, where do
yOu suppose he was finally discovered!
In the electrical laboratory, busy with
his jars and wires. When he was told
that the guests were assembled and
that he was delaying the ceremony, he
looked sort of surprised, he seemed to
have forgotten the whole thing. Then
to the amaZement of every one he broke
ont N a loud guffaw and set OFF rap
idly for the house.
''Before no came the bride looked
pale and wearied ont, but when he took
her arm to lead her 70 the marriage
altar she somewhat recovered her
strength and Yiyacitv.
SLOWLY the professor is>I I.-.-, fssii~,s>--
ed by her bridesmaids, to where the
white-cravated minister stood ready to
speak tie fateful words, with all his ac-
customed dignity he gave the bride
away. The bridesmaids shivered a
little and suspiciously wiped the cor
ners Of their eyes.
The minister pronounced the cere-
mony in solemn tones. When he came
to the passage. DO you take this man.
etc, there was 4 pause. The brides
maids almost cried outright. The bride
Shivered all over like a leaf; she twitch-
ed her heal around convulsively and
locke at the professor. There was 4
sudden whirr, like that made by the
whee,s Of 4 clock just going to strike,
and she fell with 4 crash to the floor, all
the light fed from her eyes, the color
gone from her cheeks and lips. There
she lay, a cold, gray, notwithstanding,
lifeleSs mass.
''By the Great Arc Lights.' shouted
the professor, his hair standing erect,
Il forgot TO wind her up!'
The bridesmaids shrieked, the guests
crowded round the proStrate form.
''She's faintedl stand back! give her
airl" cried Swithin Us lie tried to raise
her tenderly in his arms. But the mOm-
ent he picked her up his face grew ashy
pale and he let the body fall to the floor
with 4 clang.
''She has no need of air nOw!" said
the Professor sadly, my beautiful petl
child of my braini For years | tOiled
over you, until you were at last COM
plete. You were perfect counterfeit
of life. Now, your sparkling eye is dull,
your delicate mechanism is broken.
Nothing is left of you but a heap of
steel Fragments" and with bowed head
and hands folded behind him, he sadly
walked away.
For few minutes we silently look
ell at the broken wheels ana distorted
springs-all that remained of the once
beautiful bride. Then, one by one we
slipped away"
For minute my friend laughed soft
ly to himself, then asked him to finish
his story.
''Oh, old Balch was forced to leave
the institution. Swithin was the most
cut up fellowyou ever saw. He set out
at once for Europe, and has just got
back. BY the way he takes to Miss
DeKay's society | should say he had
forgotten the memory of his first mar
riage.''
"Well," said |, after long pause,
"shat's pretty tough story, Evans.
It's very strange that L never heard
abcut the affair before"
"If You don't believe me, " said Evans
with light laugh, ''go and ask Swithin
YOURSELF"
How Languages are Formed.